(From right) Joe Kingsland, Carissa Carmazzi and Bobbie Paul walk during the March of Dimes walk that started at the Capitol early Saturday morning. Carmazzi watches Andrew Harris skip along.
About 125 devoted walkers warmed up on the wet steps of the Nevada Supreme Court Saturday morning by walking in place. The start of the March of Dimes Walk America event was moved from the Capital Plaza because of a drizzle.
"You know, it's one thing to sign up for something like this, but it's another to actually show up when the weather is like this," echoed the voice of DJ Scott Gahagen from KPTL AM 1300 over the sound system.
Carson City Mayor Ray Masayko and fund-raising star Andrew Harris, 8, led the crowd through the plaza, across Carson Street and into West Carson for the 33rd year of the Walk America -- March of Dimes' biggest fund-raiser.
The weather didn't end up being so bad after all -- it stopped raining just as the walkers headed out.
"This is Nevada, for pity's sake -- just wait 15 minutes and you'll get something you like," said Rebecca Vernon, of Washoe Valley, who serves on the grants committee for March of Dimes.
By the time they were coming back into the finish an hour later some were overheating.
"Finally, some shade," said one walker hiding from the sun under the Port Of Subs tent.
This year the March of Dimes, whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, kicked off a five-year, $75-million prematurity campaign, according to event organizer Shelly Young.
Women know not to drink, smoke or do drugs when they're pregnant, she said, yet premature births are still happening. The new campaign will examine the reasons for that and fund education.
"As we raise more money we're able to give more grants back to the community," she said.
Saturday's walk pushed the Carson City group further toward its goal of $45,000.
"After today we've raised over $30,000," said Gahagen over the loudspeakers as he fired up the music again after the walk. The goal for all of Northern Nevada is $180,000.
Masayko, who finished the 2 1/2-mile course, said it was a good event.
"The weather was threatening, but a little liquid sunshine didn't deter these good people," he said.
Walker Bonnie Ryan, who recently moved into the capital city from Gold Hill, completed the course for her 12th year.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," she said. "As long as I can still walk I'll be out here."
After the walk, participants milled around on the plaza snacking as three owls watched from the tallest cottonwood. Doughnuts came from Krispy Kreme, pizza from Godzilaz Deli (inside Decades Bar), Pizza Hut and Domino's, sandwiches from Port Of Subs and Gatorade donated black cherry Propel fitness water.
Other sponsors included the Carson Nugget, Grandma Hattie's, Java Joe's, Wells Fargo, Nevada State Bank, International Gaming Technology, the Reno Vein Clinic and Harley Davidson Financial.
At the Nevada State Prison on Fifth Street 157 inmates participated in Walk America, said Deborah Striplin, administrative assistant to the director of the Department of Corrections.
The inmates walked laps in the rain for two hours around the exerise yard.
She expects to turn in a minimum of $1,500 toward Carson City March of Dimes from their efforts and heard a rumor of another inmate donating $600 more.
YOU CAN HELP
To donate to the Carson City office of the March of Dimes year-round, call 826-2166
ON THE NET
March of Dimes: www.modimes.org/
Walk America: www.walkamerica.org/